Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Mandatory Mask..Coaches or Parents Decision?

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I don't think it's fair to label parents as lazy for investing in a high dollar bat that is legal. I certainly can't speak for how hard others work on their hitting but I can recount my own experiences.

When I played slow pitch on an airman's wages I bought a blue light special and with a good swing had warning track power on most diamonds. When I got out of the service I could afford the high dollar bat and instantly went from warning track power to OTF power. Who wouldn't want the same for their kid?

No one is going to voluntarily go backwards in terms of bat technology. Sounds like quite an uphill battle getting major sanctions to change too.

 

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They have to do what men's softball is doing here recently ... and that is bringing the core of the softball down low ... so the high tech bats don't ruin the game and injury people more than they already do.

 

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Can you be any more of a moron?

YES, he can!!!!!

 

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They have to do what men's softball is doing here recently ... and that is bringing the core of the softball down low ... so the high tech bats don't ruin the game and injury people more than they already do.

Yea, the game is just so ruined now. We just just stop playing all together.....sheeezz

 

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Can you be any more of a moron?

Agreed with that assessment 110%. You can call the people at the "Stupid" institute and tell them to cancel the contest for their new poster child, I think we've got a winner there......

 

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Agreed with that assessment 110%. You can call the people at the "Stupid" institute and tell them to cancel the contest for their new poster child, I think we've got a winner there......

Now that is funny

 

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Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons. Championship team, All-star player...wore a clear mask to prevent a re-broken nose...bet he wished he would have worn it the first time....

 

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DD's have played school and travel, and when the respective org. did not mandate the mask, DADDY did. I figure that since between the oldest 2, and now #3 is starting to pitch, they have my new car invested in thier mouth and smiles! Also, oldest has had 2 concussions, and the risk of a 3rd from a line drive to the noggin just isn't worth it, as the new rules would basically cancel her softball season and knock out her chance to go to State. So, unless you plan on paying for my kids, tell your kids to stop making fun of kids wearing masks, screaming out how "uncool" they are, and the rest of that garbage.

 

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DD's have played school and travel, and when the respective org. did not mandate the mask, DADDY did. I figure that since between the oldest 2, and now #3 is starting to pitch, they have my new car invested in thier mouth and smiles! Also, oldest has had 2 concussions, and the risk of a 3rd from a line drive to the noggin just isn't worth it, as the new rules would basically cancel her softball season and knock out her chance to go to State. So, unless you plan on paying for my kids, tell your kids to stop making fun of kids wearing masks, screaming out how "uncool" they are, and the rest of that garbage.

Agree. Seen a lot of negative posts about making a big deal about wearing a mask. My older DD was playing this weekend and in between games watched some 10U & 12U pool play games. Many of them were wearing a game face, including outfield. Saw a 10U outfielder make a great attempt at catching a fly ball. The ball grazed the web of the glove and hit directly in the face. She shook if off and got the ball to her cut off. Saw a 12U SS playing way behind the baseline and took a shot directly to the game face on a ball hop off the ground (from my angle the ball took a goofy hop). IMO, the bottom line is the game face is available for a reason. Whether young or older player, accidents do happen and why not wear one. Especially for younger girls as I believe it gives them extra confidence.

 

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the people making fun of the masks shows how stupid they are.

 

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Should H&B sue the parents and coaches for not having mandated the use of a fielding mask and a heart guard?

Len


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2009-10-29-aluminum-bat-lawsuit_N.htm
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356596,00.html

 

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I'm not 100% sure whether or not a High School Coach can mandate it, but if he/she can, it should be enforced. Why take that chance? Especially with the talent pool they are given in some locations.

If our high school coach had the ability to mandate wearing the mask, the coach would lose his only pitcher. Been around travel ball for over 12 years with more than one dd, all the girls are different but tried the mask and doesnt work well. My dd says it blocks her view and feels if she cant protect herself with her glove she shouldn't be on the mound. She is so looking forward to getting rid of helmet mask in college.

 

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An e-mail from our travel program director (names redacted):
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"I witnessed something last week that prompted me to create a new rule for our program. [A U14 pitcher in our program] was pitching during a varsity game last Friday evening. She took a ball off of the bat directly in the middle of her mask. She had no time to even get her glove up to deflect the ball. Her mask was bent in where the ball hit it directly on the cross bar that covers her nose. Thank God she is okay. She did however suffer a concussion from the blow to her head. It was terrifying. God only knows where she'd be if she hadn't had her mask on. I've never seen a girl take a hit without having any time to deflect the ball at all.

In response to this incident, I have ordered 12 new Rip It facemasks for the program. Each team will get 2 masks. ALL pitchers are required to have their own masks. They MUST wear them at ALL times. The 2 new masks per team will be worn by anyone who plays first and third bases. I know these positions may be played by several different players. That is why the program is providing masks for these positions.

It is important that safety is our first concern. We need to teach agressive fielding at these positions and therefore, I want to make sure the girls are protected.

Thank you for your immediate cooperation with this new rule. I will get the masks to you as soon as I receive them. Please let your pitchers know that they must purchase their own mask and wear it at all times!"
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While I am not a proponent of restrictive rules, and I did not request this rule be implemented, I am supportive of the rule.

I was lucky enough to be able to wake my daughter this morning and send her off to school rather than visit her in the hospital. Or worse.

And for those of you who think that your daughter would've been good enough to make the play, all I can say is that those that saw the play (and those who know my daughter) know that this was unavoidable.

Why take the chance?

 

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An e-mail from our travel program director (names redacted):
---------------
"I witnessed something last week that prompted me to create a new rule for our program. [A U14 pitcher in our program] was pitching during a varsity game last Friday evening. She took a ball off of the bat directly in the middle of her mask. She had no time to even get her glove up to deflect the ball. Her mask was bent in where the ball hit it directly on the cross bar that covers her nose. Thank God she is okay. She did however suffer a concussion from the blow to her head. It was terrifying. God only knows where she'd be if she hadn't had her mask on. I've never seen a girl take a hit without having any time to deflect the ball at all.

In response to this incident, I have ordered 12 new Rip It facemasks for the program. Each team will get 2 masks. ALL pitchers are required to have their own masks. They MUST wear them at ALL times. The 2 new masks per team will be worn by anyone who plays first and third bases. I know these positions may be played by several different players. That is why the program is providing masks for these positions.

It is important that safety is our first concern. We need to teach agressive fielding at these positions and therefore, I want to make sure the girls are protected.

Thank you for your immediate cooperation with this new rule. I will get the masks to you as soon as I receive them. Please let your pitchers know that they must purchase their own mask and wear it at all times!"
-----------------

While I am not a proponent of restrictive rules, and I did not request this rule be implemented, I am supportive of the rule.

I was lucky enough to be able to wake my daughter this morning and send her off to school rather than visit her in the hospital. Or worse.

And for those of you who think that your daughter would've been good enough to make the play, all I can say is that those that saw the play (and those who know my daughter) know that this was unavoidable.

Why take the chance?

Thank goodness she is ok!!!

 

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Thank goodness she is ok!!!

I will second that!!!!

 

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I was behind home plate and saw the line drive hit the the pitcher and she could not get her glove up fast enough. It was very scary and I'm glad she is OK. My daughter was the opposing pitcher and also wears a mask. That incident made me thankful that she does.

 

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my team... mandatory... I (our coaching staff) require too many situations within 20-30' of home plate.... our position... I understand others... so yes, mandatory for my team.

I will say it's foolish to not arm the infield with protection since the balls are coming faster daily! IMO that's the best option which is ultimately safer than sorrier. And, if parents were right all the time on decisions they make and enforce we'd have a different world in many areas. Can of worms is already open on this post I'm just adding to it some...

 

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I'm glad to see so few of you remember this is a sport. Your concern of whether a college coach is going to even consider your dd if she wears a mask or not is just unbelievable. Let's get real and remember that she may not be considered at all. My daughter is probably the best at what she does in our area. She's definately not the best I've seen on the diamond. If she doesn't play ball in college, at least she will have the functional capacity to sit through a lecture and get her degree. Mask all the way. At the age of 10, while fielding gounders from me, one took a bad hop and now she is looking at getting a false tooth in the upcoming years. Definately not a coaches mandate issue, but it should be just everyday as them putting on a batting helmet. I actually think it gives the fielders more confidence not less by wearing one. I would be more willing to jump into a bee hive if I had the right suit!

 

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It's funny how many do not want to address the real issue.

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, my aunt played ASA fastpitch on the east coast. The bats were wood (I do not remember aluminum bats being used), the balls were not "dumbed down", the corners played in, and the pitchers were closer. The ladies that played were the best the east coast had to offer. I didn't know it, but my aunt has told me that I watched her team play against Joan Joyce on more than one occasion.

I can't remember how many games I went to, but I only remember one home run being hit, and the other hits back then were not nearly as hot as hits in a typical 14u game today. The ladies could play the leather and reacted quickly to contact.

The real problem today is the bat technology coupled with the fact that many of our girls do not field well nor have quick reactions at contact. I've said it before and I'll say it again, travel softball is too saturated with girls of average to below average defensive skills and slow reaction times. The reason the girls playing a very high level of fastpitch (National, professional, top colleges) do not wear fielding masks is not because it's not cool, it's because they don't have to, and that's why Scott said what he said. In any sport accidents will happen, but at the truly high levels the accidents caused by the ball are very few and far between, even with the hot bats.

I'm with Sammy, take the heat out of the bats. Bring the bats down to the playability of a wood bat. Unlike Sammy, I think they should bring the COR and compression back up to the way they were when wood bats were used (around .52 COR 525 Compression) and lets play some real fastpitch softball like the way it was designed to be played. If you still want your dd to wear a mask that is fine, but if you do so do not complain about colleges not taking your dd because she requires a "crutch" in order to play....just deal with the consequences.

JMHO
Len

 

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Remember people, nobody is saying to NOT wear a mask----simply that the family should choose.